The 245 yards he amassed in his first varsity start was an impressive feat Saturday, but it was during the game's opening series when Constantine defensive back Justin Hull formally introduced himself to Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central.

St. Mary's never recovered from the momentum-setting play, when Hull – a 5-foot-9 sophomore – delivered the hit of the game on a much-larger Chinedu Nwosu on third-down-and nine at Constantine's 39-yard-line.

The takedown knocked the senior off his feet for a 3 yard loss and brought a standing ovation from the hundreds of red-and-white-clad Constantine fans.

The third playoff game in four years between the Division 6 teams proved to be a one-sided affair, as Constantine – fueled by the carnage Hull left as a one-man wrecking crew – coasted to a 36-14 victory at Harper Creek High School.

Coach Shawn Griffith said Hull was a difference-maker on Constantine's junior varsity squad last year. Griffith, however, singled out a strong offensive line that played an understated role in the team's 439 rushing yards Saturday.

"We've had (Hull) up all year, it's just, sometimes, you get caught in the numbers game … we've got some real good running backs – even Andres Montoya comes off the bench and breaks a couple of key runs for us today," Griffith said. "But once again, our people up front did a tremendous job springing Justin and giving him the day that he had."

Next up for the 11-2 Falcons is a rematch against the Ithaca Yellowjackets at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Ford Field in Detroit. Ithaca, which has won 41 consecutive games, topped Constantine a year ago to collect its second straight Division 6 championship.

Saturday's win marks the first time in school history that Constantine has gone to the state championship game in back-to-back years.

Hull, who has been a season-long fixture on Constantine's secondary, started on offense in place of senior Payton White.

Not to be overlooked, a strong supporting cast was equally vital in helping the Falcons secure the win. Senior quarterback Tommy Reed had 65 rushing yards, scored two touchdowns and led on defense with six solo tackles. Senior Justin Bontrager hauled in a pair of passes for a total of 53 yards, senior Jeff Steiner scored a touchdown and was an offensive workhorse and senior Ben Mallo also scored a touchdown.

Griffith said without question, the 48 minutes of football was the best he's seen from his team all year.

"We were rallying to the football on defense and offensively we were really churning things out," Griffith said. "You throw in a couple of key pass completions and you can have a day like this."

Inspired by Hull's leveling of Nwosu, Constantine fielded the subsequent punt at its own 10-yard line and marched downfield in a 12 play drive that culminated with a 7 yard run by Mallo. Reed's toss to Bontrager on the conversion put the Falcons up, 8-0.

Page 2 of 3 - SMCC made it 8-6 by responding with a touchdown of its own on the next series and setting the stage for what appeared might be a back-and-forth affair.

But Constantine never trailed and added seven more points on its next offensive opportunity. The 80 yard series was highlighted by a 52 yard run by Hull and culminated with a 4 yard run by Steiner on the first play of the second quarter.

Hull struck again late in the second quarter, racing 54 yards for what would be the difference-making touchdown and a 22-7 halftime lead.

Echoing Griffith's comments, Reed said Constantine's offensive line was the difference between the two teams.

"Our (offensive line) just dominated from the beginning … just pushed their defense and we had our way with them," Reed said. "And our defensive line created piles and we were able to have all the linebackers come up and make all the tackles."

As it did on its initial possession of the first half, Constantine reached the end zone on its first series of the second half. A methodic, 12 play sequence that covered 65 yards and ate more than seven minutes featured a big-time fourth-down play.

On fourth-and-14 at SMCC's 29, Reed connected with Bontrager for a 25 yard gain. Two plays later, Reed scored on a 1 yard run to make it a 29-6 game.

Reed scored Constantine's final touchdown on a 15 yard keeper at the 7:32 mark in the fourth quarter.

By the time SMCC added a touchdown and two-point conversion late in the game, however, the contest was out of reach.

Falcon guard Nate Petoskey, who transferred to Constantine, said he will need time to process Saturday's win and make sense of the fact he's going to the championship game.

"Unreal … it's just so bizarre to me. I've been crying for the past five or 10 minutes; I'm so happy," he said. "We just came out so jacked up and so ready to go, smacked 'em in the mouth on the first play and they weren't ready for that."

Reed, meanwhile, said with all due respect to SMCC, Ithaca is an entirely different football team.

"They spread the ball out and like to throw it, and I've heard they have a big back … it should be an all-out war," Reed said.

With Reed healthy, Constantine's chances of ending Ithaca's run of dominance could be in jeopardy. In the semi-final contest a year ago, Reed suffered an ankle injury and saw limited playing time in the title game as a result. The senior said he's looking forward to being more than just a spectator this year.

"It'll be more enjoyable being able to help out," Reed said.

SMCC ends its season at 10-3.

Page 3 of 3 - NOTES

Cody Hartwick was 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts … Constantine dominated in time of possession, 31:28 to 16:32 … the series record between the teams is now 2-2, with all four games played in the post-season … Hull's 245 rushing yards do not include 14 additional yards he picked up on a kick return … SMCC's final offensive play of the game was intercepted by Bontrager … the press box and scoreboard operations were run by personnel from Battle Creek Pennfield, as Harper Creek's workers were in Chelsea watching the Beavers in their semi-final matchup against Orchard Lake St. Mary's … Ithaca enters Friday's state-title game with a 12-0 record. The Yellowjackets' last loss was a 47-16 setback to Montague in the 2009 MHSAA semi-final.